Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

Please note I have a new phone number...

512-517-2708

Alan Maki

Alan Maki
Doing research at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

A program for real change...

http://peaceandsocialjustice.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-progressive-program-for-real-change.html


What we need is a "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" which would make it a mandatory requirement that the president and Congress attain and maintain full employment.


"Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens"

- Ben Franklin

Let's talk...

Let's talk...

Monday, April 3, 2017

Hardboiled Activist: The Work and Politics of Dashiell Hammett by Ken Fuller

Just received this from author Ken Fuller...

I would encourage you to order his book, Hardboiled Activist: The Work and Politics of Dashiell Hammett, and request your local library get a copy.

The book is about $25.00 here in the United States.

Also, if you know students, teachers, professors who could make use of this book pass this information on to them.

For sure avid readers of Dashiell Hammett will want to read this important and informative new book.

Why not use this book to initiate a "Marxist Reader's Circle" or suggest it to your local library book discussion group? Do you belong to a book club? If so recommend it for discussion.

I am going to suggest our monthly "Social Justice Book Club" at our local library of which I am a regular participant make this one of our selections.

I hope you will share this with everyone.

By the way, if you haven't seen the movies...

"Papa Hemingway In Cuba"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2749282/

and

"Trumbo"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3203606/

... I highly recommend them, also.

We have to remember that in building Marxist clubs to endure over the years through the working class struggle it is important to take into consideration how important it is to bring together economics, politics, and culture because the over-paid Wall Street pundits and the well-heeled, muddle-headed, upper-middle class intellectuals and professors are paid to confuse working people in a way that disorients and divides people.

And the well-meaning liberals who are with us in many of our ideas tend to adhere to an "intellectualism" bred by the oppressive, repressive, exploitative capitalist system that stops short of activism based on solutions to our problems unless they have something solid to grasp onto.

This new book by Ken Fuller, Hardboiled Activist: The Work and Politics of Dashiell Hammett, could very well serve as an introduction to Marxism for many people.

As we strive to bring people together against reaction in defense of democracy this book becomes very important.

Based on what I have read in the past written by Ken Fuller I guarantee you won't be disappointed taking the time to obtain and read his latest book.

And, here is a little suggestion... if you go to garage sales, used book sales, etc,, make a copy of this blog post and insert it into books by Dashiell Hammett being sold. I often insert my cards into appropriate books at yard sales and people will use them for book marks and they often contact me.

Alan



Hi All,

My new book, Hardboiled Activist: The Work and Politics of Dashiell Hammett, will be released on June 22, but is available for pre-order. Here are the links to Barnes & Noble and Amazon:






Sunday, April 2, 2017

Hillary Clinton makes most political remarks since losing election

Note: My comments are in red.


I wonder whose stupid idea it was to try to revive the Democrats by trying to sanitize Hillary Clinton's image as a contrast to Donald Trump? Anyways the publicity stunt seems to have fallen flat as there is nothing anyone can do to distance her from barbaric drone attacks, bringing a bunch of fascists to power in the Ukraine and interfering in Russia's government, her role in the brutal murder of Qaddafi, her support for Bush's war for oil in Iraq that has been going on for years with only more carnage in sight, her political shenanigans during the Democratic Primary, her huge speaking fees paid by the Wall Street crowd in return for her service to U.S. imperialism and her time on Wal-mart's board when she helped to implement their corporate policy of firing pregnant women because they had to go too the bathroom too often.

Note: Hillary Clinton has no empathy for the women and children being killed in wars and drone attacks she fostered and instigated.

Posted: Mar 28, 2017 8:31 PM CST Updated: Mar 28, 2017 9:01 PM CST

http://www.crossroadstoday.com/story/35018837/hillary-clinton-makes-most-political-remarks-since-losing-election

 Hillary Clinton took the stage at a diversity conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, making her most political comments since losing the 2016 presidential election
Why is it so difficult to find the full text of her speech? Why isn't the full text and video of her speech here? https://hillaryspeeches.com/


Isn't it interesting the Main Stream Media owned by the very Wall Street corporations never questioned Hillary Clinton's self-serving hypocritical remarks?
By Tanzina Vega and Eli Watkins CNN



(CNN) -- Hillary Clinton took the stage at a diversity conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, making her most political comments since losing the 2016 presidential election.


"There is no place I'd rather be than here with you," Clinton said, before adding: "Other than the White House."


Nobody is laughing; she and the Democrats who ran her are responsible for Trump being in the White House.


During her keynote address at the annual conference hosted by the Professional BusinessWomen of California, Clinton spoke largely about women's equality and peppered in criticism of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.


"Obviously the outcome of the election wasn't the one I hoped for, worked for, but I will never stop speaking out for common sense benefits that will allow moms and dads to stay on the job," Clinton said.


Hillary Clinton's support for NAFTA put millions of working class moms and dads out of work. She has refused to support a full employment act brought forward by New Deal Democrats which would have made the president and Congress responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment--- a job at real living wages in line with the actual cost-of-living for everyone who wants to work.


Besides a few comments in public gatherings and tweets from her personal account, Clinton has largely laid low since the election. She was spotted after the election in the woods near her New York home and, along with her husband former President Bill Clinton, she attended Trump's inauguration.


Why did the Clinton's attend the Inauguration when millions of people boycotted it or protested against Trump's election?

She called Republicans' attempted replacement for the Affordable Care Act "a disastrous bill," adding that the Trump administration has been "met with a wave of resistance" that indicates the protests against Trump's policies are just getting started.


While it is true the Democrats are launching demonstrations against Trump, it is a fact that these Democrats are anti-Trump and sometimes protest what he is doing but NEVER provide alternatives that would solve our many problems. The Affordable Care Act which is not affordable for working class families needs to be repealed and replaced with a National Public Health Care System not defended as the Democrats are doing thus creating disunity in the movement to stop Trump. Obamacare provides no basis for unity because it is hurting far more people than it helps and it is centered around private for-profits health care. Hillary Clinton and the Democrats keep claiming Obamacare needs to be "fixed" yet they have never provided any details for fixing it; because there are no "fixes" beyond the hype.


"People who had never been active in politics told their stories at town hall meetings." Clinton said. "They were people who had something to say and were determined to be heard."


Clinton and the Democrats refuse to listen to the voices of the majority of the American people, millions of whom are now citizen-activists following in the footsteps of the heroic revolutionary Thomas Paine who are for peace, against racism and discrimination, for full employment and a minimum wage that is a real living wage.


During the question and answer portion of her appearance, she grew incredulous at the GOP health care debate.


"Really? Take away maternity care?" Clinton said. "Who do these people talk to?"


In fact, while Hillary Clinton was on Wal-mart's Board she devised the scheme used by Wal-mart to fire pregnant women because they had to use the bathroom too often.

Clinton also focused on issues like inclusivity and diversity of women in the workplace and the need for the private sector to make better efforts to bring more women to the table.


Not one single specific recommendation from Hillary Clinton for doing this.



"Advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls is the great unfinished business of the 21st century," she said, while noting that women's representation in Washington is "the lowest it's been in a generation."


What "rights" has Hillary Clinton advanced? Certainly not those rights articulated in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights: http://unudhr.blogspot.com/


The former secretary of state also responded to racially charged incidents directed at two prominent black women today.


But no words for the racism and sexist discrimination emanating from the corporate boardrooms intended to bolster corporate profits through the super-profits derived from such discrimination.


In one, White House press Secretary Sean Spicer told April Ryan, a longtime White House correspondent and one of the few black women journalists in the press briefing room, to "stop shaking your head" and accused her of being "hell-bent on trying to make sure that whatever image you want to tell about this White House stays."


In another, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly came under fire for racist comments mocking Rep. Maxine Waters' hair, saying her hair looked like a "James Brown wig."


O'Reilly later apologized, but not after a slew of controversy. Tuesday, Clinton said Waters had been "taunted by a racist joke about her hair."


However, Clinton refuses to push for Trump's impeachment which Maxine Waters has called for and was the reason O'Reilley launched his racist anti-woman insults at her.


Women of color, said Clinton, have "a lifetime of practice taking precisely these kinds of indignities in stride."


Hillary Clinton mocks black women who not only have not "taken indignities in stride," but  have struggled relentlessly without let-up for centuries against racist discrimination in education, health care, housing, employment, politics and business. Clinton's remarks were as vile and racist as those she claimed to be condemning. Clinton has refused to support and push for the enforcement of Affirmative Action, the main remedy for racist discrimination in all areas, especially education and employment. Hillary Clinton refused to push for fully integrated public education.

On the policy front, Clinton criticized the US for still not having a national paid family leave policy and said those who do benefit from such policies are often among the highest income workers. Clinton called on the private sector to do more to help.


Clinton refused to support specific legislation for paid family leave.



"You're the people who figured out how to fit computers in the palms of our hands," she said. "You have the power."


And were these the people responsible for turning hi-tech into a profit orgy instead of serving people?

But overall, Clinton offered an optimistic tone in the face of Trump's victory.


On what does Hillary Clinton base such "optimism?"



"Where some see a dark vision of carnage, I see a light shining on creativity and opportunity," she said, referencing the inaugural address.


In fact, Hillary Clinton foments, instigates and encourages the most barbaric and bestial carnage with her support for overthrowing governments, assassination, wars, drone attacks and installing fascist governments in places where millions of people died fighting Hitler fascism such as in the Ukraine and the Baltics.

She offered the audience her new mantra: "Resist, insist, persist, enlist."


Resist Trump to put another Dumb Donkey in office?

She encouraged the audience to "resist actions that go against our values as Americans," insist on "putting people first," "persist" like Sen. Elizabeth Warren did when she was prevented from reading a letter written by Coretta Scott King about Sen. Jeff Sessions, and "enlist" others by running for office or opening a business.


Hillary Clinton has done more than many to silence the voices for peace and against racism. She and her Democratic Party hacks are reviving an anti-Communist campaign.


"I'll be right there with you every step of the way," she said.


Ya, sure; you betcha... just like Barack Obama put on his "marching shoes."




Apparently the media has been reluctant to provide full coverage to this other speech delivered by Hillary Clinton this past week at Georgetown University because the stark hypocrisy is just too much to take from one of the world's leading warmongers:

On Friday, Hillary Clinton spoke at an event on the campus of Georgetown University. She spoke about the importance of women being in leadership in America and around the world. She stressed the importance of women taking part in peace negotiations and the peace process. Clinton said that when women are involved “peace negotiations [and] agreements are less likely to fail and more likely to last.” Clinton’s backed up her claim with data from United Nations Women. The speech was her second this week, and she took the opportunity to take a swipe at President Donald Trump saying, “Here I go again, talking about research, evidence, and facts.” Watch a video from the event below and read a transcript of Clinton’s speech HERE.

http://time.com/4721094/hillary-clinton-georgetown-transcript/


Hillary Clinton supports this barbaric Mosul carnage killing women and their children and people too old to escape the U.S. bombs and she has the nerve to lecture about women's rights and peace?













Get behind a real movement for peace and social justice...

Join the:


Campaign for a “21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity”

We are fed up with politicians campaigning on promises of “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” and then failing to make themselves legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment.

We are fed up with our tax dollars being squandered on militarism and wars instead of being used to create jobs by solving the problems of the people and defending our living environment… its time to beat swords into plowshares. Put people to work solving the problems of the people.

A National Public Health Care System would create over twelve-million new jobs paying real living wages providing people with free health care---  general medical, eyes, ears, dental, family planning and mental health--- through a network of neighborhood and community health care centers; this is a better use of our tax-dollars than wasting our human and financial resources on a far flung empire of over 800 U.S. military bases around the world. Or, it could be financed the same way Social Security is financed. Or paid for with  a tax on Wall Street transactions. Or financed with a combination of these methods. Public funding. Public administration. Public delivery… nothing controversial; just like public education.

A National Public Child Care System would create over three-million new jobs providing working class families with free child care.

We need to restore the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (C.E.T.A.), Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

“At Will Employment” legislation in states across the country needs to be rescinded and repealed to expand democracy in the workplace and provide workers with the right to freely participate in the communities where they live.

All attacks on immigrant workers, documented and undocumented, need to end.

Planned Parenthood needs to be defended and programs expanded.

We insist Congress and the president enact full employment legislation which makes them legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment; assure everyone who wants a job employment at real living wages in line with the actual cost-of-living.

Full employment would provide stability for Social Security; everyone paying in; everyone getting something out. A Basic Income for All must be guaranteed. Pensions must be honored and protected. The Wall Street swindle of pension funds must end; restore the Glass-Steagall Act.

Turn Habitat for Humanity into a massive public works project to create jobs and assure everyone has a decent home.

Free education through university; cancel student debt. End military recruitment in the high schools.

Unemployment and lack of a National Public Health Care System is the price we pay for militarism and wars. We are entitled to a Peace Dividend……... Let’s talk about the politics and economics of livelihood.

Name                                 Address                               City                                   State                    E-mail
1.

2.

3.

4.

Flynn seeks immunity from prosecution.

Flynn says only criminals seek immunity from prosecution.

Flynn also thinks torture is a good way to extract information... why not start with waterboarding?

Let's find out how well waterboarding works.

Friday, March 31, 2017

Democrats Should Focus More on Jobs, Less on Russia. The moral horrors of Trump’s policies must be confronted head-on.

Robert Borosage had a good article in The Nation magazine which included explaining how Trump is de-funding social programs to pay for militarism and wars.

Borosage pointed out that Trump is cutting fifty-four million dollars from social programs to pay for wars.

Borosage can be relied on to attack Republicans but he lets the Democrats slide for doing the same thing.

But it is still good this liberal is taking a stand against Trump even if his only motivation is to get Democrats elected.

Here is Borosage's excellent article:


Notice, though; while Borosage talks about focusing on "jobs" he refuses to support a full employment act which would make the president and Congress responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment and he doesn't mention that the largest job creating program in U.S. history would be putting people to work in a National Public Health Care Program (twelve to fifteen million new good-paying decent jobs at real living wages) providing the American people with free health care paid for by a huge Peace Dividend derived from ending these dirty imperialist wars.

Of course, Borosage the liberal, doesn't frame his opinions within the context of fighting Wall Street's thoroughly reactionary imperialist agenda but he does at least confront the fact that social programs are being cut to pay for militarism and wars.

Borosage heads up a foundation-funded think tank loyal to the millionaire labor leaders so he can't be expected to support real solutions to the problems of working people lest he loses his funding... the Wall Street philanthropists and millionaire labor leaders have him on a short leash attached to a choke chain and this is as far as they will let him go without giving him a swift yank.

Borosage also works in cahoots with the anti-Communist Democratic Party hack George Lakoff who counsels that issue should only be "framed" to correspond to "progressive policy directives" free from "specific solutions to problems" so Borosage is still in good stead with those who fund his liberal think tank since he has not proposed any specific solutions like these which Borosage has blocked me from posting on his organization's web site:

Campaign for a “21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity”

We are fed up with politicians campaigning on promises of “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” and then failing to make themselves legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment.

We are fed up with our tax dollars being squandered on militarism and wars instead of being used to create jobs by solving the problems of the people and defending our living environment… its time to beat swords into plowshares. Put people to work solving the problems of the people.

A National Public Health Care System would create over twelve-million new jobs paying real living wages providing people with free health care--- general medical, eyes, ears, dental, family planning and mental health--- through a network of neighborhood and community health care centers; this is a better use of our tax-dollars than wasting our human and financial resources on a far flung empire of over 800 U.S. military bases around the world. Or, it could be financed the same way Social Security is financed. Or paid for with a tax on Wall Street transactions. Or financed with a combination of these methods. Public funding. Public administration. Public delivery… nothing controversial; just like public education.

A National Public Child Care System would create over three-million new jobs providing working class families with free child care.

We need to restore the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (C.E.T.A.), Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

“At Will Employment” legislation in states across the country needs to be rescinded and repealed to expand democracy in the workplace and provide workers with the right to freely participate in the communities where they live.

All attacks on immigrant workers, documented and undocumented, need to end.

Planned Parenthood needs to be defended and programs expanded.

We insist Congress and the president enact full employment legislation which makes them legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment; assure everyone who wants a job employment at real living wages in line with the actual cost-of-living.

Full employment would provide stability for Social Security; everyone paying in; everyone getting something out. A Basic Income for All must be guaranteed. Pensions must be honored and protected. The Wall Street swindle of pension funds must end; restore the Glass-Steagall Act.

Turn Habitat for Humanity into a massive public works project to create jobs and assure everyone has a decent home.

Free education through university; cancel student debt. End military recruitment in the high schools.

Unemployment and lack of a National Public Health Care System is the price we pay for militarism and wars. We are entitled to a Peace Dividend……... Let’s talk about the politics and economics of livelihood.

Name Address City State E-mail
1.

2.

3.

4.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

I have tried to engage Bernie Sanders and the leaders of "Our Revolution" numerous times in a dialog on health care reform but all I ever get is these meaningless responses.

I received this e-mail from Jeff Weaver of "Our Revolution" about "Medicare For All" and then responded; and following my response is the e-mail I received back from "Our Revolution."

I think it is very important to note that Bernie Sanders' "Medicare For All" legislation--- just like the Conyers bill, HR 676--- leaves the private for-profit motive behind health care intact--- both in its administration and delivery and both come with a very high price tag for individuals and the government which neither Conyers nor Sanders will address as to how much these plans will cost each of us--- this is a less than honest way to bring forward legislation by leaving the people in the dark as to what the actual costs incurred will be. Just as unethical is the failure to inform people that the private for-profit motive will be left intact by each of these pieces of legislation which neither the authors nor the supporters will acknowledge even though most people, because of the dishonest way both pieces of legislation are being promoted, actually believe the for-profit motive will end.

Making health care "affordable" is not the issue; providing health care as a fundamental basic human right to everyone is the goal and objective and only a National Public Health Care System can accomplish this.

Furthermore, how can anyone make such an outlandish claim that 58% of the American people support this "Medicare for All" when all the other choices have not been explained and included--- this is a dishonest way of promoting anything. Make all choices available to people and then ask them to choose.

Here is what "Our Revolution" sent out:


Our Revolution
Alan,
Senator Bernie Sanders announced that he's going to be introducing a Medicare for All bill in the Senate.
We all know that the Affordable Care Act was a critically important step towards the goal of universal health care. But 29 million Americans today still do not have health insurance, and millions more are underinsured because health insurance companies are making our health care unaffordable and inaccessible.
Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All bill puts power and choice when it comes to health care decisions right where it should be -- in the hands of patients and their doctors, because nobody should be squeezed by the insurance industry's bottom line.
I've known Senator Sanders for more than 30 years. He has championed universal health care for even longer. Bernie has always stood up for the people, even if it means going up against the establishment. The insurance industry, which spent $146 BILLION in 2016 alone lobbying Congress, will say that universal health care isn't possible. Not only is it possible*, Medicare for All is the only way to solve our health care crisis.
That's why Our Revolution is joining with communities all across the country to win this critical fight. We're supporting Rob Quist, a strong advocate for universal health care, who is running for Montana's at-large Congressional district in the upcoming special election.
This isn't some fringe issue: 58 percent of Americans support a Medicare for All system**. Our issue is national, and it's personal. Too many Americans lie awake at night wondering how they'll pay for much-needed treatment or medications. Americans are dying of entirely preventable causes. Ensuring universal health care through a Medicare for All program is a moral imperative that we cannot ignore.
Keep up the fight, because together we're transforming this country.
In solidarity,
Jeff Weaver
President
Our Revolution
--------------------
*Medicare for All is possible: here's a map of nations that provide universal health care for all.
**Americans expect more: 58% of Americans support Medicare for all.


This was my response:
from:Alan Maki<alan.maki1951mn@gmail.com>
to:Our Revolution
date:Wed, Mar 29, 2017 at 1:07 PM
subject:Re: Bernie Sanders' "Medicare for All" bill
mailed-by:gmail.com


I would like to meet with people to
discuss this campaign I have launched 
to see if you might be willing to help.

Let me know if Bernie and Our Revolution 

endorse this.

Thanking you in advance for your 

consideration.

Alan Maki
Lakeway, Texas




Campaign for a “21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity”

We are fed up with politicians campaigning on promises of “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” and then failing to make themselves legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment.

We are fed up with our tax dollars being squandered on militarism and wars instead of being used to create jobs by solving the problems of the people and defending our living environment… its time to beat swords into plowshares. Put people to work solving the problems of the people.

A National Public Health Care System would create over twelve-million new jobs paying real living wages providing people with free health care---  general medical, eyes, ears, dental, family planning and mental health--- through a network of neighborhood and community health care centers; this is a better use of our tax-dollars than wasting our human and financial resources on a far flung empire of over 800 U.S. military bases around the world. Or, it could be financed the same way Social Security is financed. Or paid for with  a tax on Wall Street transactions. Or financed with a combination of these methods. Public funding. Public administration. Public delivery… nothing controversial; just like public education.

A National Public Child Care System would create over three-million new jobs providing working class families with free child care.

We need to restore the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (C.E.T.A.), Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

“At Will Employment” legislation in states across the country needs to be rescinded and repealed to expand democracy in the workplace and provide workers with the right to freely participate in the communities where they live.

All attacks on immigrant workers, documented and undocumented, need to end.

Planned Parenthood needs to be defended and programs expanded.

We insist Congress and the president enact full employment legislation which makes them legislatively responsible for attaining and maintaining full employment; assure everyone who wants a job employment at real living wages in line with the actual cost-of-living.

Full employment would provide stability for Social Security; everyone paying in; everyone getting something out. A Basic Income for All must be guaranteed. Pensions must be honored and protected. The Wall Street swindle of pension funds must end; restore the Glass-Steagall Act.

Turn Habitat for Humanity into a massive public works project to create jobs and assure everyone has a decent home.

Free education through university; cancel student debt. End military recruitment in the high schools.

Unemployment and lack of a National Public Health Care System is the price we pay for militarism and wars. We are entitled to a Peace Dividend……... Let’s talk about the politics and economics of livelihood.

Name                                 Address                               City                                   State                    E-mail
1.

2.

3.

4.

And this was the response I received:

Info@OR info@ourrevolution.com via helpscout.net 

7:40 PM (16 hours ago)

to me

Alan,

Thank you so much for your

thoughtful note and suggestion.
It will be passed on.

And thanks, sincerely, for your support!

In solidarity,

--
Kelli
Our Revolution Help Desk Volunteer
{#HS:341782061-78721#} 

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

This was posted on my Facebook page as a comment...

From Sharon Neumann LeMay:


Doctors, nurses, technicians etc., should be public employees working for a fair wage the same as every other public employee. The buildings in which they work should be public buildings. Drugs should be researched and developed by public university medical departments, and then manufactured in publicly owned facilities. Get all the profit out of every step of the process and let medical professionals do their jobs based on what each patient needs. Eliminate the need of overpriced care due to having to meet overhead and profit margins.


We already do this for fire, police, schools, etc. for the most part.


We need medical personnel who are in it for the love of the job and the compassion they have for people, not just to earn mega bucks. Take the brightest interested kids and give them a free education to become an MD or other medical profession of their choice. Eliminate any need to gouge the system to repay student loans.


The only hurdle I see towards achieving this is to deprogram American's from their number 1 religion of worshiping the almighty dollar and judging the goodness of each other by their net worth.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Don't let the Dumb Donkeys do your thinking for you.

It never ceases to amaze me and boggle my mind how willingly the well-heeled, muddle-headed, upper-middle class intellectuals--- which includes the party hacks and over-paid media pundits--- are willing to accept as "reforms," for the rest us, "baby steps" and "incremental" reforms knowing that people can't wait decades for health care when they are sick today or wait to eat until "tomorrow."

For being such smart people they don't understand that the basic necessities of life can't wait.

But somehow they are able to rationalize "baby steps" and "incremental" reforms while refusing to act to confront and act to put an end to imperialist murder, mayhem, savagery and barbarism which is the price we pay for these much ballyhooed "baby steps" and "incremental" reforms never materializing except as "promises" at election time.

These people will tolerate racism and attacks on women claiming, "We have bigger fish to fry."

They view affirmative action as a remedy for racism and discrimination as a threat to their cozy life-style.

They don't view the need to include Planned Parenthood's services as rights to be included as part of a National Public Health Care System.

These people say we are are being "argumentative," "brash" and "inconsiderate" in demanding three meals a day, a decent place to live, a job with real living wages and health care to keep us well and take care of us when we are sick yet they have access to all of this--- and much more--- in return for telling us we must "be patient."

For these people a vacation is a luxury we don't need but a requirement they deserve to "get away from it all."

These people will try to tell us we need single-payer universal health care because a National Public Health Care is too much to expect. They then try to confuse the issue by claiming single-payer universal health care is the same as a National Public Health Care System. They will talk up single-payer without saying it leaves much of the administration and all of the delivery in the hands of greedy profit gougers when a National Public Health Care System means:

Public financing.

Public administration.

Public delivery.

Honesty and ethics mean nothing to the well-heeled, muddle-headed, upper-middle class intellectuals whose intellectualism stops short of action because it is through lies, deceit, dishonesty along with sowing division and confusion they assure their place in society--- serving the Wall Street parasites who we must challenge for political and economic power; they want no truck with such radical thinking because it requires an honest assessment of our problems leading to united, militant action.

These people will push the writings of one of their kind, George Lakoff, down our throats and they begin to sweat just thinking about those intellectual activists like Frances Perkins, Harry Bridges, Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Wyndham Mortimer, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, William Z. Foster and Claudia Jones.

The Democratic Party is full of such people who lack the most basic empathy and compassion for working class families that they will even deny, under the pretense that the "economy is strong" because there is a bull market, the fact that working class families are mired in a Cost-of-Living Crisis a big part of which is fueled by the private, for-profit health care system and these dirty imperialist wars... both of which they are afraid to acknowledge.

It is time to tell the Dumb Donkeys to go to hell; a new working class based peoples party is required.

What kind of health care system do the American people want?

I suggest the people be asked if they want a health care system that is:


Publicly financed.


Publicly delivered.


Publicly delivered.


I think the politicians and the foundation-funded outfits along with the party hacks are afraid to ask.

With computers and the Internet it would be easy to ask the people what kind of health care system we want.

The cost of war

The U.S. military uses 350,000 barrels of oil per day. That doesn't come cheap at $48.00 a barrel. A "mere" $16,000,000.00 per day... but who is counting? Just $5,696,000,000.00 a year.
Anyone know any better uses for this oil and its cost?


And in addition to the waste of a valuable natural resource this is, think of all the human and environmental murder, mayhem, and havoc it raises.

This figure doesn't include the cost of shipping and refining, either. Nor does it tell us who profits and how much those profits are.


But this carbon footprint doesn't come cheap no matter how one figures.